Monthly Archives: February 2016

As I am waiting to my flight to departure from Mexico City back to Helsinki, I have to share something amazing with you.

I was really astonished by the visit to the Teotihuacan Pyramid area yesterday, a changed man. The area seemed to have an energy of its own, with thousands of years of history packed in one place. The people call the area “place where the gods are born”. It is very hard to believe that all the phenomenal monuments were built centuries ago. I wanted to experience the journey to the max so I climbed on top of both pyramids, “The Pyramid of the Sun” and “The Pyramid of the Moon”.

Did you know these five facts about the pyramids and the culture?

1. The culture of Teotihuacan had come up with the “agricultural calendar” (18 months, 20 days each – 360 days per year). There are 18 temples that represent each month.

2. The arrangement of the pyramids represent exactly the orion star constellation (how AMAZING is that?)

3. The correct ancient way to climb up the stairs of the pyramids is to perform 7 steps left/right diagonally in turns. (Btw, I did all the climbing using this method) Why? This way you would not face directly the gods (who were believed to be present in the top of the pyramids), but you would neither complitely turn your back to your people. The number 7 was considered to be a magical number with many meanings.

4. The amount of steps to the top of the “Pyramid of The Moon” is 260. This relates to the the amount of days that women are pregnant before giving birth. Imagine that fact for a while, and think what climbing up there represents.

5. When facing “The Pyramid of the Moon” from the very center point of the Teotihuacan area (which is even considered to be the center point of the universe), compass points exactly at North-East. That is where the very first ray-of-light rises from the Sun.

If you carefully think through all the things I just wrote, your mind should be stimulated quite strongly. Those facts certainly impressed me at least! After the experience I had while climbing up the Pyramids made me think that the pyramids must have been symbols of life.

That leads to my final conclusion: appreciate life.

Thanks for sharing this experience with me. Dear reader, If you felt emotional and connected, in a way, we have met.

As I was lying on my back at the top of the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan this is what I saw on the sky. Phenomenal!

Hi guys! Feeling so excited. I was invited to lecture 22.2.-26.2. about digitality in Mexico, Technology de Monterrey, Queretaro campus. I want to invite you to take part in this journey by sharing some of the events and all kinds of cool stuff that happens here. You may follow the action live on Periscope/Katch.me @ilkkakurkela and #digismalltalk. Comments and interaction is more than welcome. Thanks, lots of love, and ENJOY!

All in all, I want to share my deepest greetings with you my friends and family who have been taking part in this journey of mine here. Special thanks to Laurea and Tec de Monterrey for making this possible, companies and people who created the magnificent content for me to represent Finnish know-how, and students for all the positive attitude.

Smile, appreciate life and let your mind be open towards opportunities!

25.2. Digital Marketing Workshop with magnificent Mexican students

Had the greatest students at Digital Marketing workshop in Mexico. Awesome! As we discussed so many cases regarding Finland, the students wanted to say “thank you Finland”. Check the video greetings below!

The coolest thing happened as I met Juuso Strengell, one of Laurea’s exchange students here in Mexico. This hardworking student knows his business, as he is running a café here at the campus. I had the wonderful delight to interview Juuso earlier today. He encourages everyone to always move forward and see the world. Check it out! Thanks Juuso, it was a pleasure!

24.2. Preparing my lectures – hotel rooftop Periscope

Hello world! Having such a great time here in Mexico! Just broadcasted this Periscope at the hotel rooftop as I am preparing my lectures for today for Tec de Monterrey.

I am absolutely thrilled to present what the Finnish students at Laurea UAS and companies are able to do. I’ll present their skills and experience in video marketing, branding, social media and even virtual reality, and all sorts of amazing things. I also met this Finnish exchange student here yesterday and I am going to interview him later today. I’ll let you know more about it.

23.2. Meeting students, professors and cool people

Today has been awesome. Did a quick 30 minutes of jogging in the morning to get the day started and after a nice breakfast headed to the Campus. I had a meeting with of the directors of Tec de Monterrey and a student and we brainstormed with innovative ideas how to start cooperation with the local students at Mexico and the students in Finland.

One group of student here has this awesome social entrepreneur -project going on. What we decided is that I will integrate this project with my courses in Finland, so that the Finnish students can innovate regarding the project. Cool, thank you so much Jane Délano Frier, looking forward to the cooperation!

22.2. My thoughts about representing Finland and Finnish companies

Can’t complain, just arrived at the Tec De Monterrey campus in Mexico. The coolest thing is this: two days ago I asked a few creative Finnish people from various companies to record quick audio/video greetings for Mexican students, and I have absolutely fantastic material for the lectures in my pockets. In just two days! THANKS

Thank you for the recordings guys! Markku, Mika, Sami, Martta, Sani, Jouni, Pekka, Tuomas, and others. I will use these tailored clips to build conversation and show how magnificent people & companies we have in Finland!